FEATURES
BUCK OWENS AND HIS BUCKAROOS
A Bunch of Twangy Guitars
Buck Owens’ track to stardom had an unorthodox start – one that didn’t depend on his unique voice. Rather, it was launched when another singer needed a lead guitarist on short notice. By Rich Kienzle
THE MURPH 12-STRING
Tugging at Your Heart Strings
Whether you appreciate its “Holy Grail” factor, the underdog/“Rocky” element, or the Hollywood blockbuster-like plot, the story of Murphy Music Industries has all those things and more. By Teisco Del Rey
AMP-O-RAMA
The Matchless DC30
Matchless was formed in 1989, and its flagship amp used a design that was based on co-founder Rick Perrotta’s desire to “build an AC30 that wouldn’t break.” But it’s much more than just a Vox copy. By Dave Hunter
GIBSON TOP TENSION BANJOS
Though most bluegrass banjo players consider Gibson’s Mastertones to be the ultimate, with their one-piece flange and flat-head tone ring, the final step came in 1937 with the Styles 7, 12, and 18, better known as the “top tension” models. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
THE GUILD FACTORY 2007
Since the passing of founder Alfred Dronge in 1972, Guild has had several owners. But until 1995, when it was purchased by Fender, none had a cohesive plan. It has undergone a rebuilding and today makes guitars much like it did in the 1950s and ’60s. By Steven Stone
THE GRETSCH ASTRO-JET
For all its spage-age-wannabe weirdness, Gretsch’s shot at the Gibson SG was actually a very nice guitar, with a solid mahogany body, set mahogany neck, and bound ebony fingerboard with neoclassical “thumbprint” inlay. By Michael Wright
BASS SPACE
The Mid-’50s Fender Precision
In 1954, Fender’s original electric bass underwent significant change, owing a tip of the headstock to Fender’s newer solidbody guitar, the double-cut Stratocaster. By Willie G. Moseley
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
S. Walker Guitars
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Merle Travis guitars to sell, Bill Carson passes, Chip Taylor forms label, Grissom Jams with Ford, In Memoriam, more!
Heaven and Hell
Neon Knights Reunite
By Lisa Sharken
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
“Sneaky” Pete Kleinow
1934-2007
By Rich Kienzle
Carl Verheyen
Well-Rounded and Busy
By John Heidt
Joe Ely
Digging Through the Vaults
By John Heidt
“Big Al” Anderson
Pawn Shop Guitars
By John Heidt
More to Love
A Trip Through Winter NAMM 2007
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
Broadcast Boomers
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
So You Think Your Guitar Sounds Good?
By Steven Stone
“401K” Guitars
State of the Market ’07
By Gil Hembree
Guitars With Guts
Santos Hernandez Speaks
By R.E. Brune
Fretprints
Jimi Hendrix
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
Guitar Shop
A Little Whacky…
By Tony Nobles
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Junior Gets a Check-Up
By Dan Erlewine
Talkin’ Amps With…
Bill Yates: Vintage Amps Under $1,000, Part Three: Supro
By David Jung
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
Stanley Brothers, Danny Gatton, The Clash, Russell Malone, The Rockabilly Legends, more!
Check This Action
A Stone Groove
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
SE Custom Sem-Hollow, MXR GT-OD, Louis Electric KR M12, Keeley Katana and Flexi 4×2!
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!